GRACE-FILLED

One of the core values we believe God is calling KFA to is being a grace-filled church. We’re all in process at being grace-filled. Sometimes we blow it big time. On other occasions, we’re brilliant with grace. But it is in our hearts to be a church that increasingly becomes a place filled with the grace of God. The reason we should be that is because grace is something each one of us has already personally received. God has been gracious to us ... and so it should be a default attitude for our own hearts to be filled with grace toward others.

When people walk into KFA, the first thing that should hit them is the love and grace of God. Not the singing – if people want great music, they can go to Chicago or Milwaukee or Ravinia or the Symphony. What they should feel and sense is God - and His grace and love.

Isn’t THAT what wins people to Christ? It isn’t great programs. It isn't a great facility. It isn't great preaching. Nothing softens the heart more than when people sense the love and grace of God.

And if we don’t have that, what good is it if the oratory is skillful – if the preacher has it all together doctrinally – if everybody onstage has perfect pitch and never hits a sour note – if there’s all kinds of cool things happening with children and youth -- but there’s no passion for God – there’s no heart – there’s no love and grace?

'So God, help us not just stroke those who stroke us – and love those who love us – even pagans and those in the world do that – but give us a heart for people who are unlovely – even people who are against us … hurt people … wounded people … difficult people … different people … people who don’t have it all together … people with broken hearts … people with damaged emotions … people with crushed spirits.

That’s ALL of us in some way, isn’t it?

God, help us see people the way You see them. Help us not to be small and just see what people are doing on the outside, but give us an understanding so we can pray and serve them better -- to cry over our city the way YOU did over Jerusalem …

God, give us a grace-filled spirit … even in the face of opposition and unkindness and judgmentalism … even when there is nastiness … fill our church with grace. Take away harshness and the remembering of wrongs … take away unforgiveness ... so when people come into our church – even before they hear the singing – even before they hear the message – give them the sense that You are present because they can see Jesus manifested in the grace that fills the place.

Amen.'

And be blessed.